UN says no aid yet distributed in Gaza as international pressure on Israel mounts

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary: "UN says no aid yet distributed in Gaza as international pressure on Israel mounts"
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host: Valerie Sanderson, BBC World Service

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1. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The podcast opens with a grim update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Despite Israel permitting approximately 100 additional aid trucks to enter the region, the United Nations has reported that no humanitarian aid has been distributed as of the recording time.

Key Insights:

• UN's Stance: Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, described the situation in Gaza as "chilling" ([02:06]).
• Ground Realities: Lucy Williamson provides a harrowing account from Gaza City, highlighting the desperate conditions faced by civilians. Children are seen digging through rubble for food packages, and the Auda malnutrition unit is on the brink of exhausting its life-saving drugs, with only two weeks' supply remaining.

Notable Quote:

"This is not food that Hamas are going to steal. We run all sorts of risks trying to get that baby food through to those mothers who cannot feed their children right now because they're malnourished."
— Tom Fletcher, UN Humanitarian Chief ([02:06])

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2. International Pressure on Israel

As Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, international allies such as the UK, Canada, and France are expressing growing concern and threatening concrete actions if the offensive does not cease.

Key Insights:

• UK's Position: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, "The level of suffering being inflicted on Gazans is simply intolerable" ([04:07]).
• Diplomatic Shifts: Paul Adams, the podcast’s diplomatic correspondent, discusses how a combination of Israel's aggressive tactics and the dire humanitarian situation is driving allies to take a firmer stance.
• Israel's Response: Fleur Hassan Nahum, a special envoy for Israel's Foreign Ministry, counters accusations of double standards, emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself and deflecting criticism by highlighting arms sales to other nations ([08:12]).

Notable Quotes:

"Despite our efforts, this Israeli government's egregious actions and rhetoric have continued. They are isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world..."
— Paul Adams, Diplomatic Correspondent ([04:41])

"Yair Golan is not center left. Yair Golan is a leader of an extreme left party... he does not represent anybody's position in Israel right now."
— Fleur Hassan Nahum, Israel's Foreign Ministry ([08:12])

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3. U.S. Announces "Golden Dome" Missile Defense System

President Donald Trump unveiled plans for the "Golden Dome," a state-of-the-art missile defense system designed to protect the entirety of the United States.

Key Insights:

• System Capabilities: The Golden Dome is touted to intercept all types of missiles, including those launched from space, integrating with existing defense mechanisms ([11:54]).
• Costs and Development: Estimated at $175 billion, the system is projected to be operational within three years and is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome ([12:03]).
• International Collaboration: Canada has shown interest in participating in the project ([12:16]).

Notable Quote:

"President Trump says the futuristic missile defense system will be developed by America's Space Force and will cost $175 billion. It'll consist, he said, of next-generation technologies..."
— Peter Bose, North America Correspondent ([12:16])

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4. Assassination of Mexico City's Aides

Tragedy struck Mexico City as two aides to the mayor, Clara Brigada, were shot dead during their morning commute.

Key Insights:

• Details of the Attack: Security footage revealed a gunman firing multiple shots through the vehicle's windows before fleeing on a motorbike, which was later found abandoned ([13:05]).
• Impact on Local Governance: Mayor Claudia Scheinbau emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway, ensuring that there would be "no impunity" for the perpetrators ([13:23]).
• Previous Incidents: A reference was made to a similar attack five years prior, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region ([13:32]).

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5. Young Musical Prodigy Harnesses YouTube for Success

The podcast shifts to a heartwarming story of Harvey Goodbody, an 11-year-old from Norfolk who taught himself to play the piano by watching YouTube videos. His remarkable talent led to an invitation from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK.

Key Insights:

• Self-Taught Talent: Harvey learned pieces like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata within five months, practicing two to three hours daily ([13:41]).
• Family Support: His mother, Jen, shared videos of his performances online, garnering thousands of views and attracting the Academy's attention.
• Educational Impact: Harvey's first music lesson revealed his potential, with his teacher praising his dexterity and focus, noting the rarity of such internet-based learning ([15:44]).

Notable Quote:

"I wanted to learn because I just found it therapeutic and it was really satisfying to play music like this."
— Harvey Goodbody's Mother, Jen ([14:49])

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6. Spain Cracks Down on Airbnb Amid Housing Crisis

Spain is intensifying its efforts to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnb in response to a burgeoning housing crisis exacerbated by rising rents and property prices.

Key Insights:

• Regulatory Measures: New rules limit rentals to 10 days annually, require registration with the Ministry of Interior, and impose strict requirements such as private entrances and reception areas ([15:44]).
• Impact on Hosts: Valerie Sanderson, an Airbnb host in Valencia, discusses the challenges faced, including loss of licenses and the difficulty of adapting to new regulations ([22:39]).
• Economic Tension: While tourism is vital to Spain's economy, contributing around 13% to the GDP, the government struggles to balance economic benefits with the need to ensure affordable housing for locals ([24:40]).

Notable Quotes:

"The moment that politicians are seen to be perhaps deterring tourists or giving the message that they shouldn't come here so much, they get a lot of criticism from the tourism sector..."
— Guy Hedgco, Spain Correspondent ([25:29])

"Every single person who comes to say, I've got to give all their details to the Minister of Interior, including their payment method."
— Valerie Sanderson, Airbnb Host ([21:10])

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7. Sesame Street Moves to Netflix

In a significant shift in the children's television landscape, the beloved show "Sesame Street" is transitioning from PBS to Netflix.

Key Insights:

• Historical Significance: "Sesame Street," a staple since the late 1960s, has been instrumental in educating children on various social issues through its iconic characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster ([25:29]).
• Future on Netflix: The move ensures that season 56 and 90 hours of previous episodes will be available on the streaming platform, promising enhanced exploration of the Sesame Street neighborhood and new segments like "Elmo's World" ([27:07]).
• Cultural Impact: The show has been praised for addressing topics such as race, homelessness, autism, and AIDS, featuring celebrity cameos and memorable songs ([26:59]).

Notable Quote:

"Despite concerns about its future, it seems like for now we can still get to Sesame Street."
— Anna Murray, Reporter ([27:07])

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8. Mangione Murder Trial in New York

The podcast concludes with a mention of the high-profile Mangione trial, where Luigi Mangione has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of a major U.S. healthcare and insurance company.

Key Insights:

• Case Overview: Mangione denies the charges, leading to widespread online debate and conspiracy theories.
• Legal Proceedings: The "Mangione Trial" podcast promises to delve deeper into the case, examining facts versus theories and exploring implications for the U.S. healthcare system ([29:26]).

Notable Quote:

"I've never seen anything like that before."
— Peter Bose, Correspondent ([29:47])

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Conclusion

This episode of the Global News Podcast provides a comprehensive overview of pressing international issues, from the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and escalating diplomatic tensions involving Israel, to significant developments in U.S. defense, local tragedies in Mexico, inspiring stories of young talent, housing crises in Spain, and shifts in children's television programming. The podcast adeptly weaves expert analysis with on-the-ground reporting, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of global affairs.

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Contact and Credits:
For comments or thoughts on this episode, email [e-mail] or find the podcast on X using the hashtag #globalnewspot.
Produced by Liam McSheffrey and Peter Goffin. Edited by Karen Martin. Mixed by Sid Dundon.

Transcript

[Cory Doctorow]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk. How did the Internet go from this? You could actually find what you were.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Looking for right away.

[Cory Doctorow]

Bang. To this.

[Lucy Williamson]

I feel like I'm in hell.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Spoiler alert.

[Cory Doctorow]

It was not an accident. I'm Cory Doctorow, host of who Broke the Internet? From CBC's Understood. In this four part series, I'm going to tell you why the Internet sucks. Sucks now whose fault it is and my plan to fix it. Find who broke the Internet on whatever terrible app you get. Your podcasts.

[Lucy Williamson]

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Valerie Sanderson and in the early hours of Wednesday, 21st May, these are our main stories. The United nations says Gazans are yet to receive any humanitarian aid, despite Israel allowing about 100 more trucks to enter the territory. President Trump has announced plans for a missile defense system that he says will protect the whole of the United States. Two aides of Mexico City's mayor have been shot dead as they drove to work in the morning rush hour. Also in this podcast, can you tell.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

Me how to get how to get to Sesame Street?

[Lucy Williamson]

The children's TV classic Sesame street moves to Netflix. Is international goodwill running out for Israel because of the conduct of its war on Hamas in Gaza? Many of its own allies who've backed Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas following the October 7 attack now say they are horrified by its latest military escalation in Gaza. We'll have more on that shortly. But first, Israel says it allowed about 100 aid trucks to enter Gaza on Tuesday. But as we record this podcast, the United nations has said that no aid has yet been distributed. The UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, described the situation in Gaza as chilling.

[Cory Doctorow]

Let me describe what is on those trucks. This is baby food, baby nutrition. There are 14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them. This is not food that Hamas are going to steal. We run all sorts of risks trying to get that baby food through to those mothers who cannot feed their children right now because they're malnourished.

[Lucy Williamson]

Our Middle east correspondent Lucy Williamson sent us this report. In the rubble of a Gaza City school, children are digging for packets of food half buried in the thick grey dust. A displaced shelter bombed overnight. What they're learning in these ruined classrooms is more than some world leaders can take. Among more than 70 people reported killed overnight, the two sons of Osama Abu Msabeh, the other half of his family missing. My children are gone, he cries. Thirteen and Nine years old. I can't find their mother or their sister. Aid has begun trickling into Gaza after an 11 week Israeli blockade. This is Heber, a 7 month old baby who weighs the same as a newborn. The Auda malnutrition unit in central Gaza says patients have doubled during the blockade and they have two weeks of life saving drugs left. Ali Jaber is the Auda project Director.

[Cory Doctorow]

We have a problem now with the accessibility as well. So a lot of cases who are suffering from the malnutrition cannot come, cannot move, cannot go to the hospitals, no cars, no fuel.

[Lucy Williamson]

Israel is staring down the judgment of its allies, but its allies are feeling the judgment of children with empty bowls, accusing the world of empty words. Lucy Williamson. The uk, Canada and France have all threatened to take concrete action against Israel if it doesn't stop its renewed offensive. The UK's foreign secretary, David Lammy says the level of suffering being inflicted on Gazans is simply intolerable.

[Cory Doctorow]

Despite our efforts, this Israeli government's egregious actions and rhetoric have continued. They are isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world, undermining the interests of the Israeli people and damaging the image of the State of Israel in the eyes of the world. As the Prime Minister and fellow leaders said yesterday, we cannot stand by in the face of this new deterioration. It is incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship.

[Lucy Williamson]

So are we at a turning point? Our diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams has this assessment.

[Cory Doctorow]

I think that the combination of the warnings from the Israeli government, from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of a massive new military operation that would consume large parts of the Gaza Strip and drive civilians once again into tiny little corners. That, plus the warnings that we've been hearing in the last few days about the very real possibility that large numbers of Gazans are going to be plunged into starvation. That combination has persuaded a number of countries to speak more forcefully than they have in the past. That's why we saw the statement from Britain, France and Canada. Another statement by 27 foreign ministers, including Britain, condemning Israel's alternative aid provision scheme, which the Israelis have been touting for the past few weeks. And now these moves by the British government, suspending talks on trade and calling the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Office for an explanation. These feel different. They're accompanied by more sanctions on Jewish settlers. So I think we are reaching a point at which there is a real fear of what might be looming and a concerted effort by some of Israel's closest allies to try and stop it.

[Lucy Williamson]

But what does this all mean, really, if the US Sticks by Israel, whatever?

[Cory Doctorow]

Well, ultimately it means that things won't change quickly on the ground. I think everyone knows that there's really only one person who can decisively demand that Israel not do something. And that person, of course, is Donald Trump. And apart from a brief remark at the end of his Middle east tour last week in which he said that he was concerned by the fact that Palestinians were facing starvation, he has not yet said anything to indicate that he does not want Israel to go ahead with its new military assault on Gaza. So people will be watching that the other countries involved will perhaps be thinking, well, look, if we are increasingly vocal, this might persuade the United States to follow suit. But, you know, the sheer unpredictability of Donald Trump means that that's never really going to be a very clear prospect. And so I think for their own individual moral and political reasons, the countries apart from the United States are all beginning to take action in concert, feeling that, frankly, they have no choice.

[Lucy Williamson]

Paul Adams in response to the growing diplomatic pushback, an Israeli government spokesman said that external pressure would not divert Israel from, in his words, defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction. Within Israel, too, there is increasingly concerned debate. The chair of the opposition Left of Center Democrats Party, Yergalan, said in an interview that Israel is on the path to becoming a pariah state among the nations like the South Africa of old, if it doesn't return to behaving like a sane country. He is a former senior major general in the Israeli Defense Forces, and his view has been condemned by Israeli government ministers. But what about supporters of Israel's military and political strategy? Evan David spoke to Fleur Hassan Nahum, a special envoy for Israel's Foreign Ministry and former deputy mayor of Jerusalem.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

Well, first of all, I want to address what you talked about. Yair Golan. Yair Golan is not center left. Yair Golan is a leader of an extreme left party. Everybody's condemned him, including other opposition members from the actual left, including the president of Israel, who comes from the Labour Party. So he is a fringe character. And just like we don't really we're not represented by fringe on the right. We're not represented by fringe on the left. We're a country of democracy and freedom of speech. So we always have people saying different things. But he does not represent anybody's position in Israel right now. So I just wanted to say that off the bat, I do understand why the Foreign Ministry has said what they've said, because it seems as there's double standards going on. Britain sells arms, in fact, 17 billion north pounds of arms to countries that are considered human rights abusers, like Qatar, like Saudi Arabia, like Egypt, like Turkey, like Thailand. In fact, these are reports that have come out from your own local, local organization against debates here.

[Cory Doctorow]

I just don't want to get into what about it. I don't want to get into what about it.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

Just seems double standards. There's one thing which is not about tree and one thing is double standards. So if you're doing business with a country like Qatar which sponsors terrorism of the Muslim brotherh, then why are you so offended when we say it seems there's some double standards and obsession with Israel?

[Cory Doctorow]

Well, but your friends, your allies, countries that have traditionally been reasonably supportive of Israel are entitled to say, are they not? They're perceiving a brutality from a blockade and bomb strategy on Gaza that is neither working for you and is too cruel to the people in Gaza. That's a perfectly legitimate criticism for other countries to make of you. It doesn't matter whether they're selling arms to Saudi Arabia. Perfectly reasonable thing for them to say, isn't it? You've got to address that accusation.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

It would be a little more legitimate if they first and foremost condemned Hamas for using their own babies as human shields.

[Cory Doctorow]

They condemn Hamas.

[Peter Bose]

Every time they open their mouths, they condemn Hamas.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

No, they don't. They would be a little more legitimate if they spoke about the fact that the human aid, the aid organizations are in cahoots with Hamas and that are helping Hamas. Many of them. UNRWA employs many Hamas members helping them steal aid.

[Peter Bose]

I think there's disagreement.

[Cory Doctorow]

I think there's disagreements on the facts or the extent, the extent of the facts.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

Well, there's about a hundred, there's about 100 UNRWA employees that are members of Hamas and thousands and thousands, tens of thousands of employees. And there's been protests and there's been protests in Gaza and we've reported on those protests and by Gaza saying they're stealing our aid. So when we had the ceasefire a few months back, there was so much aid going in that everybody assumed there'd be enough aid until July. But Hamas creates this artificial lack of aid so that they can pay their terrorists. So let me share with you Israel's dilemma. Our dilemma is this. When we let floods of AIDS going in, Hamas uses that aid to sell it to their own people at a premium and fund their terrorists. They pay their terrorists, they pay their soldiers. So what is Israel supposed to do?

[Lucy Williamson]

Fleur Hassan Nahum, a special envoy for Israel's Foreign Ministry, President Trump has announced plans to build a state of the art missile defense system that will shield the entire United States. At a White House News conferen, Mr. Trump said the Golden Dome program would be able to intercept every kind of missile.

[Cory Doctorow]

This design for the Golden Dome will.

[Lucy Williamson]

Integrate with our existing defense capabilities and.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Should be fully operational before the end.

[Lucy Williamson]

Of my term, so we'll have it.

[Cory Doctorow]

Done in about three years. Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Be capable of intercepting missiles even if.

[Cory Doctorow]

They are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space.

[Lucy Williamson]

Our North America correspondent Peter Bose, has more details.

[Cory Doctorow]

President Trump says the futuristic missile defense system will be developed by America's space force and will cost $175 billion. It'll consist, he said, of next generation technologies, including space based sensors and interceptors to defend the country against aerial attacks from the other side of the world or launch from space. He added that Canada had asked to be part of the project, which was inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, a system that's been used to intercept rockets and missiles since 2011.

[Lucy Williamson]

Peter Bose Two aides of Mexico City's mayor, Clara Brigada, have been killed while driving to work. Ms. Brigada said a thorough investigation is already underway. She said there'd be no impunity. Our America's regional editor Leonardo Rocha reports.

[Peter Bose]

Security camera footage shows a gunman approaching the front of the car and firing.

[Cory Doctorow]

At least 12 shots through the windscreen and the driver's window. A witness said the men escaped on a motorbike, which was found abandoned three blocks away. President Claudia Scheinbau, herself a former Mexico.

[Peter Bose]

City mayor, said the two officials, Jimena.

[Cory Doctorow]

Guzman and Jose Munoz, had worked for the government for many years and she knew them personally.

[Peter Bose]

A similar incident happened five years ago when the Mexico City security chief survived.

[Cory Doctorow]

A gang attack attributed to a drug cartel.

[Lucy Williamson]

Leonardo Rocha for many aspiring musicians, the offer of a visit to a prestigious college such as the Royal Academy of Music here in the UK would be the result of years of lessons and practice. But for 11 year old Harvey Goodbody from Norfolk in eastern England, it took just five months. He taught himself to play the piano, and he did it by watching YouTube videos. Claire Bowden reports. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, the third movement played not by a professional, but by Harvey Goodbody. He's taught himself to play by watching YouTube videos, his love of classical music coming out of the blue. According to his family, Harvey's mother, Jen, posted videos online of his performances. They've been viewed thousands of times and grabbed the attention of the Royal Academy of Music. It's invited Harvey to London for an induction day to explore where his musical talents might lead. I usually practice two to three hours a day.

[Valerie Sanderson]

I wanted to learn because I just.

[Lucy Williamson]

Found it therapeutic and it was really satisfying to play music like this. Ahead of his visit to the Royal Academy, Harvey has just had his first ever music lesson. His teacher said he was something special, praising his dexterity and focus. She said it was very unusual for a child to use the Internet as a way to improve their playing. She said sadly, lots of pupils will find hours for social media, but not for practice. That report by Clare Worden on the talented 11 year old Harvey Goodbody. Still to come, the Spanish government cracks down on Airbnb properties as protests continue about the cost of housing. So what about those who rent out rooms?

[Valerie Sanderson]

We are only allowed to rent it out in my area for 10 days now. That's since August last year. We're not allowed to rent it out more. So if someone wants a two weeks holiday, we can't let them have a two week holiday.

[Peter Bose]

A man is shot dead on the streets of New York.

[Lucy Williamson]

A huge manhunt and a nationwide police appeal led here.

[Peter Bose]

The suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, chief executive of a major US healthcare and insurance company. Mangione denies the charges against him and reaction to the case went viral.

[Cory Doctorow]

I've never seen anything like that before.

[Peter Bose]

In the Mangione Trial podcast, we're exploring how this case has divided opinion online, unpicking the facts from conspiracy theories and delving into the debate around the healthcare system in the us. And we're bringing you major developments as the case unfolds in the courtroom. The Mangione trial from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lucy Williamson]

The European Union is planning to introduce a flat fee of €2 or a little more than US$2 on billions of small customs free parcels sent directly to people's homes from China. It includes orders from online retail giants Shein and Temu. Clyzia Sala has this report. Almost 5 billion small parcels were sent.

[Peter Bose]

To the EU last year, most of them from China.

[Lucy Williamson]

None of them had to pay customs duties. This might change soon. EU officials claim many of these items are unsafe or fake and don't compete fairly with local products. They say the sheer volume of these parcels has created a huge workload for border control staff. The revenue from the new 2 Euro levy would help Tackle the issue. France has begun a hunt for the tiny mobile telephones being used by prison convicts. French prosecutors launched Operation Prison Break, conducting searches in about 500 cells across detention centers on Tuesday. The miniature devices are allegedly used to commit crimes from inside jail. The French supplier of the devices has been stopped from trading. According to Le Mans newspaper. The devices are nicknamed Suppositor by some inmates due to their ease of concealment. Mark Loewen spoke to the BBC's Pierre Antoine Denis.

[Peter Bose]

Early in the morning, 500 Cell 60 detention centres were raided by order of the Paris Prosecutor's office in the search for these very, very tiny cell phones no bigger than a cigarette lighter. You can actually go online and see the comparison side by side and it's actually quite impressive. Entirely plastic. And they have this reputation, Mark, for being virtually invisible to metal detectors. And this is the key here because as you go to, let's say, speak to an inmate inside a prison, you will go through these mental detectors like at the airport, but these cell phones will go, would not be detected by the metal detectors. And then once you're in that face to face discussion, you can, you can sleep it somewhere, you know, under a napkin, under, under these things. And that allows these different inmates to have, and to have a hold of these cell phones or sometimes is being shipped by a drone or by different ways. They've been very creative about this over the last few years and it's yet another big operation to try and combat this rising problem.

[Cory Doctorow]

And is this thought to be linked to the, or one of the reasons why there was a convicted drug trafficker who escaped a year ago, nicknamed the Fly?

[Peter Bose]

Yes, the Fly.

[Cory Doctorow]

Thought to maybe have used these phones.

[Peter Bose]

Yes, absolutely. So both, both stories are linked here almost a year to the day when in a very, almost Hollywood style operation, this man managed to escape a prison in the south of France which resulted in two prison officers being killed. Was the first time since 1992 that a French police officer was killed as part of a prison break. Led to a huge manhunt. And nine months later he was found only this February in Romania as part of a wider operation. And it was widely understood that he managed to use these cell phones as part of his breakout and as part of his ways to basically be in touch with the outside world. And what we touched on yesterday, the issue of narco trafficking and the drug traffic happening in France and across Europe. These phones are known to be used to manage to have these connections with the outside world.

[Lucy Williamson]

Pierre Antoine Denis, Spain has launched a crackdown on Airbnb Properties. It's ordering the online letting platform to remove more than 65,000 holiday rental listings in the country for breaching regulations. The clampdown comes amid a growing crisis in Spain over the lack of housing. With escalating protests against rising rents and house prices, many in the country blame the growth of short term rentals like Airbnb for exacerbating the problem, especially in popular tourist areas like Barcelona and Madrid. So what's the effect on those who've been renting out rooms for years? Marion has an Airbnb property in Spain.

[Valerie Sanderson]

At the beginning it was very easy. The place where I own my flat is on the east coast. It's in Valencia City by the beach. And it was an area, no locals wanted to live there. So it was very easy to get a license. My flats on the third floor got a license. Nobody bothered to look at it. I rented it out, no problem. Then probably about three or four years ago, they began to get very strict. They would only in my area give you a license if you were on the ground floor or you have a private entranceway, like in a house. We are only allowed to rent it out in my area for 10 days now. That's since August last year. We're not allowed to rent it out more. So if someone wants a two weeks holiday, we can't let them have a two week holiday. It can only be 10 days if they do it with a tourist license. This year they made us all go onto a website to register with the Ministry of Interior, an anti terrorism sort of law. So every single person who comes to say, I've got to give all their details to the Minister of Interior, including their payment method. So including like visa details or bank details. They've done things like the banned locks, so little keys that people used to get to get into the houses. They have to have a reception, a meet, a greeter. This year as well, they've got a new ruling coming in July. We have to be on a renters register, otherwise we can't advertise an Airbnb at all.

[Lucy Williamson]

And what's the effect of all this? Are many people selling up?

[Valerie Sanderson]

I don't know if they're selling up. What happened when the 10 day rule came in last August, everybody suddenly thought, oh, we'll start renting to digital nomads and we'll rent for a month, two months, three months. But because they've introduced the new renters reg, then that's causing difficulties for them. And because people have to have huge deposits to be able to rent more than 10 days. But I do know people who have lost their licenses, their Airbnb licenses, because it was very easy and quite lax. Ten years ago, they didn't bother. And I remember many people said to me, oh, don't bother getting a license, it's a waste of time. So some people never did and obviously now they are being chucked off the register and they won't be able to rent out their flats anymore.

[Lucy Williamson]

I spoke to our Spain correspondent, Guy Hedgco, who's in Madrid, and asked him, why is the crackdown happening? Is it about not enough housing?

[Cory Doctorow]

That is a huge concern. There is a feeling that rents have increased enormously in Spain. For example, the average rent has increased but doubled more or less over the last decade in Spain. And in many cases many cities in particular and city centres, the increase has been much sharper than that. And a lot of people feel that these short term tourist rentals are not solely responsible for this, but they are in great part responsible because certainly in city centres where you see a particularly bad housing problem, they are pushing prices up and those prices are ensuring that local people are not able to live in those city centres and they're taking accommodation away from local people. So there's a feeling that this is very much contributing to the housing crisis across Spain. And so I think that there is a growing feeling against these among many people that tourism and tourism apartments need to be reined in more in order to try and control the housing problem.

[Lucy Williamson]

And yet tourism is essential to Spain's economy, isn't it?

[Cory Doctorow]

Yes, I mean, it absolutely is. It makes up around 13% of GDP and more and more tourists are coming. Last year we had 94 million foreign visitors. That makes Spain the second biggest destination or foreign tourist destination in the world after France. And it's catching up pretty soon. And there's a feeling that tourism is so important for the Spanish economy, it's difficult to get the balance right. Because the moment that politicians are seen to be perhaps deterring tourists or giving the message that they shouldn't come here so much, they get a lot of criticism from the tourism sector and from other politicians who say we need these tourists. The Spanish economy depends very heavily on tourism. We shouldn't be killing this golden goose that we have.

[Lucy Williamson]

Guy Hedgeko and finally, to the world of television. In recent times we've heard about plenty of big names of the small screen being scooped up as part of the so called content wars between the world's big streaming platforms. But are there any bigger than Big Bird, along with Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and the rest of the residents of the children's US TV hit Sesame Street. They're all packing up and heading to Netflix. The future of Sesame Street's long term home on America's PBS network was put in doubt after President Trump's administration chose to pool funding for the free to air channel. Anna Murray takes up the story. It's the stuff of TV legend Sesame street dates back to the late 1960s 60s when its co founders Lloyd Morissette and Joan Gantz Cooney went to top US University Harvard with what was then a novel way of teaching American children using techniques originally pioneered in advertising. To help educate, a team led by developmental psychologists worked with the Muppets creator Jim Henson, introducing the world to characters like Cookie Monster, Count Von Count.

[Valerie Sanderson]

So there you have 1, 2, 3.

[Cory Doctorow]

4, 5, 6 super ways to count things.

[Lucy Williamson]

Big Bird, Elmo, Bert and Ernie. It was pioneering stuff, a preschool program that aimed to broaden the mind. No topic was taboo, no issue ignored. Race, homelessness, autism, aids. It's given us some great celebrity cameos as well over the years, from Johnny Cash and Stevie Wonder to Ed Sheeran and James Blunt. Oh, and some great songs. Amy just met you and this is crazy, but you got cookies. So share it.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Maybe take long.

[Lucy Williamson]

Just a minute. You see, we'll tell you how we.

[Valerie Sanderson]

Became Burt Nernie.

[Cory Doctorow]

Journey, but I need.

[Fleur Hassan Nahum]

To know the truth.

[Peter Bose]

Oh, Triangle, where are you?

[Lucy Williamson]

And now season 56 of Sesame street will be on our screens later this year, a date to be confirmed along with 90 hours of previous episodes as well. So what can we expect more than half a century on? Well, we're promised more extra exploration of the Sesame street neighbourhood and a look inside the famous two story house at 123 Sesame Street. We're also told we can expect fan favourites like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's foodie Truck. Despite concerns about its future, it seems like for now we can still get to Sesame Street. That report by Anna Murray on Sesame Street. And that's it from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on X at the BBC World Service, just use the hashtag globalnewspot. This edition was mixed by Sid Dundon. The producers were Liam McSheffrey and Peter Goffin. And the editor is Karen Martin. I'm Valerie Sanderson. Until next time. Bye bye.

[Peter Bose]

A man is shot dead on the streets of New York.

[Lucy Williamson]

A huge manhunt and a nationwide police appeal led here.

[Peter Bose]

The suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, chief executive of a major US Healthcare and insurance company. Mangione denies the charges against him, and reaction to the case went viral.

[Cory Doctorow]

I've never seen anything like that before.

[Peter Bose]

In the Mangione trial podcast, we're exploring how this case has divided opinion online. Mine unpicking the facts from conspiracy theories and delving into the debate around the healthcare system in the US and we're bringing you major developments as the case unfolds in the courtroom. The Mangioni trial from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.